April 7th is celebrated as National Beer Day in the United States, honoring one of the world’s most beloved alcoholic beverages. Beer is a favorite drink for many, known for its refreshing, crisp taste and often smooth texture. With an alcohol by volume (ABV) content ranging from about 4% to 6%, it is also a great choice for beginners. If you plan to celebrate National Beer Day with a bottle (or two) of beer, here are some top homegrown brands you should consider trying!
7 Homegrown Beer Brands You Must Absolutely Try!
Stok Beer
Stok Beer is for the carefree, the ones who love a chill companion in a bottle as they unwind after a long day. The beer is crafted in Madhya Pradesh’s Indore and is proudly made with the finest quality ingredients. It is a new-age beer brand here to redefine the beer scene in India, by adapting a unique approach catering to the young customer base. The mascots of the brand immediately grab your attention on the packaging. The three pandas represent the three different beer variants the brand offers – the laidback, the poised, and the strong. Each of these mascots has a charm of their own, coordinating with the flavor profile of the variant. If you are a chill guy or girl and love an equally chill companion on a hot summer day, Stok Beer is just right for you!
Bee Young
This homegrown beer brand claims to be India’s first craft strong beer. With an ABV of 7.2%, the craft beer is truly ‘strong’ when it comes to packing the punch. The beverage is made with 100% sortex rice and pristine waters of the Bhakra Dam. It also uses Columbian and Styrian Golding Hops, lending a rich, robust flavor profile to the beverage. A great aspect of the beer brand is that it offers beer not in the standard 350 ml and 750 ml bottles, but instead in the 500 ml bottle. The brand believes that this quantity is just the perfect amount of beer – neither too much nor too less.
Also Read: Best Alcoholic Drinks For Summer In India: Which One Should You Drink?
Bira White Beer
Bira understands the assignment of nailing its beer quite well and its White Beer is no exception. This wheat beer is low on bitterness, has a soft finish, and is based on traditional Belgian-style wheat ales. However, that doesn’t mean that the beer lacks any flavor at all. In fact, one sip of Bira White Beer and you’ll be hit with an euphoria of spice and citrus. Bira White Beer, with an ABV of 4.7%, is a refreshing all-day beer that can instantly brighten up your mood with its refreshing, citrusy taste.
Proost Beer
Established in the year 2017, Proost is on the mission of crafting top-quality, premium, affordable, and strong beer for the Indian market. Their top three offerings are: the White Ale, The Mild Lager, and The Domestic Strong Beer. And all of them are unique in their own way, offering a rich taste in each sip. The first one has 4.5% ABV and is a take on the classic ale infused with vanilla and orange, plus coriander. The Mild Lager also has 4.5% ABV and has a rich maltiness, offering a hoppy blast in your mouth. The Domestic Strong Beer, just as the name suggests, is stronger, with an ABV of 6.8%.
Also Read: India Gets Its First Tea Beer – MAKA di Oo-Long Blanche
Maka Di Rocket Rice Lager
Goa-based brewery Latambarcem Brewers is responsible for crafting this unique craft beer, that started in 2020. It features rice and barley malt, giving a crisp and clean finish. The craft beer has an ABV of 5% and is a refreshing beverage that hits the right notes. And did we talk about the packaging? The quirky, rocket-shaped bottle is an instant eye-catcher, making you stop and stare at the bottle before you down it in a few sips. Maka Di Rocket Rice Lager offers a light, crisp, and clean taste with subtle malt sweetness and a smooth mouthfeel. While handpicked hops from Germany and the UK have been used, the use of rice elevates its light body, making it perfect for the warm weather as well as other casual celebrations.
Simba Stout
Out of all the homegrown beer brands, Simba Stout is India’s first bottled craft stout. Simba Stout makes the experience of enjoying a glass of stout more accessible than ever before. With rich, indulgent flavors brought to the table, Simba Stout easily stands out in the crowd. The stout has an ABV of 5%, making it a light beer that many first-timers can drink too. It balances strong flavors with its smooth textures. It is brewed with dark chocolates, espresso, and caramel and offers rich notes of cocoa and espresso. With a dark appearance and creamy texture, this robust beer is velvety indulgence at its finest!
Medusa Air
If you aren’t a fan of strong beer, Medusa Air is for you. It is a light and refreshing beer, brewed for easy drinking with two-row barley malt and has an ABV of only 4.5%. The beer has a light malty sweetness that’s not too bitter or robust. Plus, the beer is crafted using a harmony of both traditional and modern crafting techniques. This embraces innovation and still manages to remain grounded in its approach. Overall, the Medusa Air is a great option for light drinkers who do not really enjoy strong beer and are looking for a refreshing, thirst-quenching option, Medusa Air is just for you!
Summing Up
This National Beer Day 2025, it’s time to throw light on the homegrown beer brands that are creating waves in the Indian beer market with their innovative products. With a focus on quality and innovation, brands like Medusa Air, Proost Beer, and Stok Beer among many others are redefining the beer industry in India. So, which one is your favorite?
